Former ‘superback’ Ratkovich lands with Falcons

Atlanta adds NIU’s 2021 TD leader to practice squad

Courtesy of Scott Walstrom | NIU Media Services

Redshirt senior running back Clint Ratkovich runs down the field during NIU’s game on Sept. 11 at Huskie Stadium against Wyoming.

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter
December 27, 2022

Clint Ratkovich, NIU’s “superback” during its MAC Championship run in 2021, has signed with his first NFL team as an addition to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad Tuesday. The news was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.

Ratkovich was considered one the top fullback prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft before tearing his ACL during a private workout with the Green Bay Packers in April. He was medically cleared from his injury in late October.

The #Falcons are signing FA FB Clint Ratkovich to the practice squad, source said. He was one of the draft’s top fullbacks before he tore his ACL in a private workout with the #Packers. Now, he lands in Atlanta with an eye toward the future.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2022

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock has frequently compared Ratkovich to San Francisco 49ers All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Hammock and Juszcyk worked together on the Baltimore Ravens from 2014 to 2016 – Hammock as Baltimore’s running backs coach and Juszczyk as the team’s starting fullback – before Juszycyk departed for the Bay Area in free agency.

During his lone season at NIU, Ratkovich led the Huskies with 15 touchdowns, including scores in the 2021 MAC Championship game and the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl. He played in all 14 games during his senior year, rushing for 448 yards on 98 carries. Ratkovich also caught 13 passes for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a receiver.

Then-senior NIU running back Clint Ratkovich scores a touchdown during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against the Georgia Tech on Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (Danny Karnik | Associated Press)

Prior to signing with Atlanta, Ratkovich was reported to have visited the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns but neither team opted to sign him.

He becomes the first member of NIU’s conference-winning squad to get a shot at the pros and the first Huskie since Daniel Crawford and Jack Heflin to join the league as an undrafted free agent.

Ratkovich joins Atlanta as one of 16 members on its practice squad. The NFL permits each team to carry a maximum of 16 players on its practice squad during a season. Other teams may poach players from another team’s practice squad so long as they are signed to the active roster.

Ratkovich may have an opportunity to see the field this season with Atlanta already eliminated from playoff contention after Saturday’s loss to the Ravens. The NFL permits teams to promote two players to its game day roster each week without signing them to the 53-man active roster.

Atlanta has two games remaining on its 2022 schedule, both set to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. The Falcons will play host to the Arizona Cardinals on New Year’s Day before closing out the regular season with an NFC South battle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 8. Sunday’s game will kick off at noon CST and be broadcast on FOX.